Scout debate reflects big changes in our society

The Boy Scouts of America have a fundamental choice to make about its future: Should it retain its ban on gay Scouts and leaders or should it allow the local sponsoring organizations to decide on that aspect of policy?

Any way you look at it, the Boy Scouts of America have a fundamental choice to make about its future: Should it retain its ban on gay Scouts and leaders or should it allow the local sponsoring organizations to decide on that aspect of policy?

To remain at status quo is to reject a growing belief among the American public that the Scouts' ban is discriminatory. That will no doubt lead to more lawsuits and eviction of Scout troops from public and private spaces that they have long called home.

To concede that all boys are deserving of its benefits, regardless of their sexual orientation, is to walk back on a century of tradition tied to conservative religious values. Already Scout troops with leaders and parents who see such a change as a moral affront to their values are willing to disassociate from the organization. So the announcement of a delay on the decision to admit gays on Feb. 6 was no surprise.

As the board met over three days at a hotel in Irving, Texas, it became clear that the proposed change would be unacceptable to large numbers of Scouting families and advocacy groups in favor and opposed to the proposed compromise. Gay-rights supporters said no Scout unit should be allowed to exclude gays, while conservative religious members, whose churches sponsor troops, warn of mass defections if the ban is eased.

Two issues are at the heart of the disagreement: change in society and fundamental First Amendment rights. We believe the Scouts must recognize both, and its essentially federal organizational structure allows that. The difficulty of this debate is a reflection of the times we live in.